Solid Pequi Oil: Should We Be Concerned?

Also known as pequi oil, piqui oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the fruit of the tree Caryocar brasiliense, native to Brazil. Rich in unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, it is appreciated by natural cosmetic enthusiasts and allows to deeply hydrate and nourish the skin and hair. The use of piqui oil in hair care is indeed very widespread, particularly among people with textured hair. In fact, once applied to damp hair, this vegetable oil helps to define curls. Pequi oil also has antioxidant, soothing, and healing properties, making it interesting for a multitude of uses.

From an organoleptic perspective, the pequi oil presents itself as a golden to orange liquid, a color that comes from its richness in carotenoids, and emits a fruity fragrance that is similar to that of passion fruit. However, it can happen that pequi oil slightly thickens, adopting a semi-thick texture similar to that of shea butter. When this happens, it is legitimate to question the quality of your pequi oil. This phenomenon is nevertheless completely natural given its physicochemical characteristics.

Indeed, the melting point of this vegetable oil is between 77°F and 98.6°F. This means that piqui oil has a thick texture below 77°F. When heated, it gradually becomes more fluid between 77°F and 98.6°F, becoming fully liquid from 98.6°F onwards. It is quite rare for a vegetable oil to have such a high melting point. For instance, the melting points of olive oil and sunflower oil are respectively 21.2°F and 14°F. The melting temperature range of piqui oil is more similar to that of vegetable butters, like shea butter, which becomes liquid between 82.4°F and 95°F.

It is natural for the piqui oil to adopt a semi-thick texture at room temperature. This in no way alters its cosmetic properties.

If you notice that your pequi oil has solidified and become firm, we recommend running a slight stream of warm water over the bottle. This will slightly increase the oil's temperature and thus restore its fluidity. However, ensure that the bottle containing the oil is properly sealed. Indeed, any contact between the pequi oil and water increases the risk of bacterial contamination and degradation of the oil's quality.

Note : Many hair oils contain piqui oil. However, these products are not solid at room temperature because the blend of vegetable oils allows the product to have a lower melting point.